Classes & Lectures

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Through the classes and seminars held at the library, you can:

  • Appreciate the genius of Shakespeare
  • Discover the hidden depths of film making
  • Feel the pulse of the inspired poet
  • Take a guided tour through literature, film, and history
  • Trace the development of the short story
  • View history in a whole new light

These programs are always insightful, but casual, and are taught by seasoned and knowledgeable teachers.

See below for our current and upcoming offerings.

Winter-Spring 2025 (Jan-May)

PROFILES

Explore the people, places, and events that shape our lives, our world, our universe. Presented by Dr. Bill Thierfelder, Professor Emeritus and Docent Emeritus at the American Museum of Natural History. 

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Wednesday, Jan. 8
    • Four Cosmic Mysteries. This program focuses on four intriguing--and cutting edge--mysteries of the Universe. Each of these is now a major field of study, and scientists around the world believe we are on the brink of discovering mind-altering answers. 1. Is there life beyond Earth? 2. What is Dark Matter and Dark Energy? 3. What is the Multiverse? 4. What are Supermassive Black Holes? Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 5
    • The Unknown MLK. Every third Monday in January, the nation pauses to remember the life and legacy of Martin Luther King. This program delves into Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and his legacy to see why his story is still so meaningful and relevant to our own lives today. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
  • Wednesday, Mar. 5
    • Eleanor Roosevelt. This program looks at Eleanor Roosevelt’s work as a trail-blazing civil rights advocate, a feminist, and one of driving forces behind the United Nations, as well as a deeply lonely woman who found love in a series of extraordinary friendships. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
  • Wednesday, Apr. 4
    • The Silk Road. The Silk Road was and is a network of trade routes connecting the East and West, and was central to the economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between these regions from the 2nd century BCE to the 18th century. This program gives an overview of the miraculous, sometimes deadly, always adventure-filled land and sea routes that connected East Asia and Southeast Asia with South Asia, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa, and Southern Europe. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.

    No program in May

  • Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
  • Location: Online - Zoom (Not sure what that is? Call us and we'll help you! 503-682-2744)
  • No Charge

 

Space Talks

Discover the history and science behind our exploration of the moon, Mars, and the universe with these talks presented by docents Donn Anderson & John Jennings from Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Saturday, Jan. 4: Rocket Engines Then and Now
  • Saturday, Feb. 1: A Close Encounter with Pluto
  • Saturday, Mar. 1: Encounter at Ultima Thule
  • Saturday, Apr. 5: TBA
  • Saturday, May 3: TBA
  • Time: 11:00am-12:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

 

Black Exclusion in Oregon

Amidst the historical backdrop of Oregon's formation, the state grappled with Black exclusion laws, pro-slavery influence, and the free state versus slave state debate. This presentation explores these dynamics and their profound impact on Oregon's Black community.

Presented by Oregon Black Pioneers.

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Tuesday, Feb. 25
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

 

Genealogy Talk: Finding what you need and using what you find

With so much information available to us today, it can be hard to know how to find what we seek, or what to do with it after we've found it.  Discover an assortment of techniques that can help you search the internet more successfully, extract those useful genealogical nuggets from your documents, organize what you've found, and evaluate your evidence.  We'll look at tools for locating overlooked records, understanding codes in documents, recovering missing websites, finding evidence of name changes, and much more. 

1-hour presentation with 30" Q&A afterwards.

Presented by Pam Vestal.

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Saturday, Mar. 29
  • Time: 1:30-3pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

 

San Francisco 1906: Destruction by Earthquake, Trial by Fire

The destruction of the leading city in the West over four tragic days by a Magnitude 8 earthquake that struck without warning and the firestorm that followed. This epic event changed the city forever and holds lessons as we prepare for the coming Cascadia quake.

Presented by Sig Unander.

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Tuesday, Apr. 29
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

 

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